Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of Judy Sweetland of Private Trade Winds

If you’re a regular Private Trade Winds blog reader or if you follow us on Facebook and Twitter, then you’re probably already aware of our new “Spotlight Destination” promotion. The promotion launched in June with our Spotlight shining on Hawaii where we featured villas on the Big Island, Oahu, Maui and Kauai. The weeks following brought us to the coastal communities and wine country of South Africa; the desert, mountains and beaches of California; and lastly the laid-back beauty of Mexico! It’s been a blast, and I’m happy to report that people are loving it!

Each week we’re shining our Spotlight on a new destination which will be announced on our blog, facebook and Twitter. Don’t worry, if social media isn’t your thing you can also email jsweetland@privatetradewinds.com and let us know that you would like to receive our weekly Spotlight Destination announcement in your email.

So, what’s it all about? In the interest of full disclosure – we want to spoil you! We’re giving you the opportunity to travel like a Private Trade Winds client. It’s our version of a try before you buy program. Just book any villa featured in our weekly Spotlight Destination and you will receive all the value added inclusions normally reserved for clients of Private Trade Winds. That would be services like daily housekeeping and roundtrip airport transportation; the personal assistance of our dedicated Travel Advisors and Concierge for all your air and ground transportation, and a welcome gift will be waiting for you at your chosen destination, along with something special from Private Trade Winds to make your trip more enjoyable. It could be a decadent spa treatment, a round of golf or perhaps a personal chef credit. Each destination has its own unique offering which is gifted to you by Private Trade Winds. Other amenities await your arrival like luxurious spa robes, high-end bath amenities, and bottled water and coffee replenished daily.

Why are we doing this? We’re giving you the opportunity to try before you buy. We’re confident that once you take your first Private Trade Winds Villa Vacation you won’t want to travel any other way. So be sure to check in daily on our blog, and follow us on facebook and twitter to see where our Spotlight will be shining next. Remember you can also email Judy Sweetland at jsweetland@privatetradewinds.com or call 866.PTW.4LUX Ext. 804 to receive your announcements and updates. Spoiler Alert - this week . . . Costa Rica!

Courtesy of Jay Gould of Vail Valley Getaway

To most, vacations are a sacred and coveted time that must be filled with enough fun and excitement to make the rest of the year bearable. The key is to find that perfect escape, one that takes you away from the mundane yet still provides access to entertainment and activities with a luxurious resort appeal.

Luckily there’s Vail Valley Getaway to fill such a tall order. More than a resort property management company, this full service vacation planner offers concierge services in addition to a variety of lavish accommodations featuring privately owned condos and residences in the most celebrated Beaver Creek and Vail communities.

Now you can experience the Vail Valley how the other half lives, by staying in a private, luxury mountain retreat rather than booking a traditional resort hotel room. With Vail Valley Getaway, your vacation “home base” is a truly exquisite home with exclusive services that make the most of precious vacation time. Enlist the expertise of informed specialists to handle details like transportation, grocery shopping, housekeeping, even babysitting.

Year round, the knowledgeable and friendly staff is ready to assist in planning a fun-filled trip that is both relaxing and rejuvenating. The rental management team provides an uncompromising standard of excellence to both property owners and guests, embracing a unique opportunity to care for and represent some of the finest homes in the Vail Valley.

Customer reviews from TripAdvisor and Flipkey awarded Vail Valley Getaway an “Excellent Rating” with 5 stars

proving their commitment to excellence in guest satisfaction.

Summer or winter, family vacations or romantic getaways, they should be filled with unforgettable adventures and accommodations, award-winning cuisine, one-of-a-kind galleries, elegant boutiques and spa treatments. From internationally renowned skiing and snow sports, to tube rides for the kid in all of us, to championship golf, horseback riding, rafting, hiking, and gold-medal fly-fishing, let Vail Valley Getaway plan a trip that will raise the vacation bar for years to come.

If you would like more information or to schedule an interview with Jay Gould, please contact Michelle Parenti at 626.833.5015 or email info@vailvalleygetaway.com for additional information and photography.

Courtesy of Judy Sweetland of Private Trade Winds

Private Trade Winds, in conjunction with The Travel Institute is proud to announce the release of the first Villa Certification Program. The course, called Villa Travel, was designed to equip travel agents with the knowledge and tools necessary to assist clients who prefer spacious accommodations, yet value the service and amenities typically found in 5-star resorts. No longer is villa travel reserved for Counts and Countesses on mass vineyards in Tuscany. Of course, the classic villas of France and Italy are still highly sought-after destinations, and rightly so, but what the public needs to know is that a villa can range from a 1-bedroom beachfront condo to a 13-bedroom palatial estate. What ultimately sets apart a villa vacation from a vacation rental involves an assessment of the destination, the residence, and all they have to offer. This is where the education process comes in, and it has all been crafted with the ultimate satisfaction of the traveler in mind.

In early May, the Today Show aired a segment on villa travel, and they went into detail on the rise in villa travel and the advantages therein. While we were delighted to see coverage on the subject, the segment began by defining villa as “any rental property or house.” It was this comment that prompted our immediate reaction, and we realized the urgent need to set parameters in this rapidly growing niche of the travel industry.

Our response, and what we feel is our duty as villa specialists, is to protect the consumer by educating the travel industry, and safeguarding the traveler against the pitfalls of misrepresentation in an otherwise unregulated segment of travel.

Today's discerning traveler can have it all - daily housekeeping, airport transportation, concierge service and more - without sacrificing comfort, security and luxury. The key factor is educating both travel agents as well as the consumer on the various options that are out there, and most importantly, how to appropriately match the villa with the vacationer.

The Villa Specialist course covers such subject matter as villa history, classic vs. modern villas, villa options, sales & marketing, accommodations, amenities & inclusions, and more. Upon completion of this comprehensive course, participants will be able to clearly differentiate a villa vacation from a vacation rental, and open doors to a whole new world of experiences for their client.

Real Estate Agents and Developers can benefit from taking this course as well, since they will want a better understanding of what the consumer is looking for in a villa rental, and they will have the opportunity learn how to choose their partnerships wisely when deciding who will represent their product in the industry.

An informational webinar will be conducted by The Travel Institute on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 12:00 PDT, where listeners can learn more about the course. To request an invitation, please email Judy Sweetland at jsweetland@privatetradewinds.com.

If you would like to learn more about villa travel, contact Andra Minnehan at 866.PTW.4LUX Ext. 809 or email her at aminnehan@privatetradewinds.com.

Courtesy of Judy Sweetland of Private Trade Winds

Travel Agents have weathered the perfect storm of catastrophic events over the last few years – an economy that hit rock bottom collided with a wave of “book-it-yourself” internet sites, and I’m happy to say they have not only managed to survive through the wreckage, but rather to thrive.

I just returned from a training seminar in Scottsdale, Arizona where I had the privilege of speaking in depth with Travel Agents from all over the U.S. and Canada, and I have to tip my hat to them. What a great bunch of people to be surrounded by. Travel Agents illuminate customer service, and it’s evident even in short conversations. They’re friendly, helpful, and willing to go the extra mile. I’m the person that walks out of a store in the mall and can’t remember which way I just came from. I asked one of the Travel Agent attendees if he knew where the Starbucks was located inside the resort, and he not only told me how to get there, but walked me in and had a cup of coffee with me. That’s a Travel Agent.

While it is true that sites like Travelocity and Orbitz have cut into the business share of Agents, a steadfast client base has been maintained. Why, you ask? Because people want people. Travel Agents are service-oriented by nature, and they have that gene that makes you feel cared for and protected. They not only want to book a great trip for you, but they want to ensure a great experience. They care about your security and somehow manage to stay current on the ever changing policies at the airports. Try to get that from a computer booking!

So, I’d just like to take this opportunity to say, “thank you” to all the Travel Agents that weathered the storm and came out the other side with a smile on their face. I’d like also like to thank our own Travel Agents for representing Private Trade Winds with the best in service, integrity and care. You make me proud to work for this Company. And I’d also like to thank “Ed” for a great cup of coffee.

Courtesy of Luxury Home Rentals By East West Resorts

August and September are packed full of activities and events in the Vail Valley. The month of August plays host to the Vail International Dance Festival July 31-August 13, Diva Half Marathon August 2 and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge August 25-26. For the first time in history, the Top 3 finishers at the Tour de France will be competing in the same event on US soil.

Come enjoy some music and libations in September with the Vail Jazz Festival September 1-5, Beaver Creek and Vail Oktoberfests run September 3-4, 9-11 and 16-18. Visit Vail in all its Fall glory during four themed weeks of events, activities and special offers for Vail Restaurant Month September 16-October 16.

Come spend a minimum of three nights with us through October at any of the three featured properties and receive a $100 American Express gift card upon check-in. Enjoy dinner or other mountain activities on us!

Newly added to our Luxury Home Rentals Collection of seventeen homes is a five bedroom, 7.5 bathroom home in Arrowhead. This property is the perfect summer getaway with stunning Eagle River views year-round from the great room, kitchen, master bedroom and hearth room. It is the ideal location for an extended family getaway that is central to all of the events and activities throughout the Valley. 

Stay in the heart of Vail and all of the summer action in this three bedroom, four bathroom residence in Arrabelle at Vail Square. Other amenities include a full gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances, luxurious spacious bathrooms, Jacuzzi tub and steam shower in the master bathroom, and an outdoor balcony. With accommodations for up to eight guests, it is the ideal location for a family getaway. 

Enjoy dramatic views of Beaver Creek Mountain in this platinum rate seven bedroom, eight bathroom home. Sink into a plush velvet sofa next to a roaring fire or enjoy an evening of billiards, conversation and cocktails in the well-appointed game room. Whether you are in Beaver Creek for a short or extended stay, this will be the ultimate mountain getaway.

Thank you for considering Luxury Home Rentals by East West Resorts for your family's next getaway. Availability is open for this summer and we encourage you to book early for the 2011/2012 ski season. World Cup racing kicks the season off December 2-4 on Beaver Creek Mountain.

**Call (888)841-0880 to learn about all of the Luxury Deals.

Courtesy of Irene Aviles, President of Private Trade Winds

So What's the Difference??

I'm glad you asked because there’s no industry specific standard clear enough to properly educate the public. The word Villa has been around for centuries, and it has always represented the grandeur of palatial summer homes in Italy and France. Today, it is important to understand what the word villa means especially to an ever growing population of affluent travelers. The luxury consumer in the USA is very different from the European traveler, and some may say that as Americans we are creatures of comfort, very specific, and perhaps demanding. We are a culture where often times comfort trumps experience.

Villa travel in Europe is as popular as it was centuries ago, but at present self-serve holiday travel in other people’s homes is the most popular option, more widely so than hotels. In the USA, vacation rentals (what we call travelling in other people’s homes), is a growing segment of US travel and largely booked online from large listing services like HomeAway and VRBO.

Villa travel in the USA is a developing market for the luxury traveler. Today, the word villa represents homes with hospitality-type services. At PTW we go as far as to say that a villa, no matter the size, is about accommodating the American palette for comfort, service and experience. We want it all - and the time is now!

So what defines a Villa and what defines a Vacation Rental?

A Villa can be defined in two categories: Classic and Modern

The Classic Villa:

Classic Villas have been around for centuries in Europe. Through the years they have been renovated in various stages from generation to generation to produce a current, and hopefully, luxurious vacation experience. Classic villas are usually large and fitted with on-site staff such as housekeepers, butlers, and cook.

The Modern Villa:

Modern Villas include luxurious accommodations in various size real estate options from 1-bedroom condos to sprawling 13-bedroom estates. They can include large and small homes, condominiums, residence clubs, fractionals and condominium hotels. Modern villas typically come with some sort of hospitality service if booked through a professionally managed organization. Since the travel industry and private homeowner renters are not consistent in using terminology, it is important to always ask about details regarding service and amenities. At PTW, all of our villas have passed a rigorous checklist of requirements to provide a 5-Star villa hospitality experience and have been branded by PTW with service and amenities to provide a 5-Star Villa Vacation. This includes professionally decorated accommodations, maid service, bath amenities with robes, complete or gourmet kitchens with bottled water and coffee, and endless concierge service to plan every step of the trip. Undoubtedly what the luxury traveler seeks.

A Vacation Rental is a generic term for short term rentals in private homes

This is a more commonly used term and refers to someone who wants to travel in homes. Websites such as VRBO and HomeAway are very successful listing services, and they allow the consumer to filter and choose the options they want to rent. Each is owned and managed separately with no consistency of quality, service or amenities. These self service websites offer a multitude of options worldwide, but no guarantee of reliability. Most of the properties listed on these sites do not provide hospitality service, amenities or concierge service, and the overall experience is not considered luxurious.

Although there is a vast array of vacation rentals worldwide, a very small percentage even come close to Villa status. Most consumers do not know the difference or realize that they have several choices. This explains why such a large percentage of Americans do not rent vacation homes, nor do they realize villa options exist, or worse how to find them!

So how do you find true luxury Villas?

Choice #1 - Buy into a Destination or Residence Club. This option is quite costly, but offers high quality, consistency and service.

Choice #2 - Find a local professionally managed Rental Company. This option is ideal if you know what you want and have a checklist of your expectations for furnishings, kitchenware, and services you want. Most likely you will not find everything you want, but it is better than trusting an on-line listing and you should find better services.

Choice #3 - Join PTW or a similar Hybrid-Club. With the recession at hand, creative entrepreneurs have recently developed the optimal option - the best of a Destination Club, with less commitment and cost. This offers the customer consistency of product, hotel-type service, amenities and most likely concierge service.

PTW villas provide clients with endless worldwide opportunities to enjoy a myriad of real estate options from homes, condos, estates, fractional properties, residence clubs and condo hotels! So many choices! All with 5-star hotel comforts, high end interior design, convenience and prime locations - plus concierge and hotel services. Since Private Trade Winds is also a private travel agency, luxury travelers get the best of the villa world, plus the finest service in all luxury travel options. Villas can be rented on an individual basis, or through our club concept for additional savings to frequent travelers.

As a long time lover of villa travel and an owner of several vacation villas myself, I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have on how you can enjoy villa travel, and/or how you can market your vacation villa to discerning and affluent travelers to yield a desirable result. Please leave your comments and I’ll be checking in regularly to respond.

Courtesy of Judy Sweetland of Private Trade Winds

That seems to be the nagging question 365 days a year, and there’s no reprieve while on vacation. In fact, it can be even more challenging when you have children of varying ages with specific likes and dislikes to deal with – and let’s face it, they all have likes and dislikes! While you and your spouse might be dying to try that fine dining Hawaiian Fusion restaurant that everyone has been raving about, you know that little Johnny will have no part of seafood, and keeping Sally entertained in the highchair will require nothing short of a live appearance from Elmo himself. This poses the ultimate vacation challenge, because it’s not a mere question of “What’s for Dinner tonight?” you need to know what’s for breakfast and lunch, too – times 7! So, on your typical week vacation this question will beg to be answered 21 times!

Let’s consider you have the stamina to repeatedly answer this question each day, and are equipped with the ingenuity to satisfy everyone’s palate. Now you have to take into consideration the expense of eating out 21 times. Let’s see, a family of four, three times a day (don’t forget to carry the 1), and Cha-Ching! – you could have stayed another night!

Ok, you see where I’m going with this. Finicky kids + Added Expense = Why are we doing this again?

Enter Private Trade Winds Villa Vacations (can you hear the hallelujah chorus?). Renting a villa as opposed to a hotel room has multiple advantages, but for Johnny and Sally’s parent’s sake, I’m just going to focus on meals. Private Trade Winds villas are equipped with either a complete or gourmet kitchen, with the former complete kitchen offering guests the ability to prepare a standard meal, and the gourmet kitchen is equipped with all the high-end appliances and cookware needed to prepare an entire Thanksgiving feast! With the added convenience of a kitchen, the need to dine out for every meal is eliminated and money and sanity are restored.

Another service provided by Private Trade Winds is the option of pre arrival grocery shopping. Families love this service, and our Travel Advisors coordinate this so groceries are conveniently stocked in the cupboards and refrigerator upon your arrival. The only thing you need to do is fill out the shopping list. The last thing you want to deal with after a long plane ride is a stop at the grocery store to stock your villa, and shopping at an unfamiliar store takes so much longer, because you’re not sure where everything is. Pre arrival grocery shopping takes that stress away and allows you to start enjoying your vacation immediately upon arrival.

Of course, going out to dinner is relaxing when you don’t have to go out for every single meal. Our Concierge will not only book your dinner reservations, but will arrange a babysitter so you can spend a nice romantic evening at that Hawaiian Fusion place for just you and your spouse.

The main concern most people have in booking a villa vacation is that they fear they will forfeit the service and amenities typically found only in high-end resorts. That is a valid concern, and you should avoid randomly booking a villa without doing your due diligence, but a company such as Private Trade Winds specializes in villa rentals, and we do our due diligence to guarantee a 5-star experience for you. Not only will you not sacrifice the service and amenities found in a hotel, but you will gain a place at the table for Johnny and Sally. And you know that when Johnny and Sally are happy –everybody’s happy!

Courtesy of Judy Sweetland of Private Trade Winds

Private Trade Winds is on a "Royal" roll between last month's addition of our 5-story, 3-bedroom townhouse in Regents Park, London, and now this month's 3-bedroom showstopper in the Seychelles - the exclusive locale where Prince William and Kate Middleton, now called The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed their honeymoon escape. One of our clients jokingly asked if the addition of the two villas was intentionally timed to coincide with the marriage and honeymoon of the Royal Couple, but the fact is we just seem to have a knack for predicting the next 5-star destination.

The Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean is a most spectacular getaway for those seeking romance, privacy and unprecedented beauty. Think “champagne wishes and caviar dreams” and you won’t be remotely disappointed.

Seeking out a private island is no small task and should be left to the professionals for an experience custom tailored to the likes of each traveler. While the rare sensual beauty of the islands has been known to lure lovers from around the world, most are family-friendly as well, and a memorable experience can be made for those ranging in age from 2 to 102.

Mahe, with its lush botanical gardens is also home to Intendence, a half mile stretch of the most powdery white sanded beach in all the Indian Ocean. It is also the transportation hub for island-hops and day excursions to neighboring islands, and all other islands within Seychelles.

Courtesy of Five Star Beach Properties

One of the vacation destinations in Florida which is becoming increasingly popular is Destin. This is one of the fastest growing vacation destinations as it has something exciting and special for every age group. You will never regret choosing this perfect beach vacation destination for your family vacations. Even if you are a lone traveler, you will find plenty of things to do in Destin, Florida.

If you want to make the most of your Destin beach vacation, you need to ensure that you find the best accommodation possible. When you have the best place to stay in Destin during your vacation, you will be able to increase the pleasure and enjoyment several times over as every moment that you spend in Destin will be memorable. One of the accommodation options that is becoming increasingly popular in Destin are Destin beach rentals. As opposed to the regular hotel rooms, you will be able to enjoy very spacious accommodations by renting a large home. You will be able to have all the fun you would like to have by staying in a luxury Destin vacation rental. These luxurious Destin vacation rentals will help you relax completely during your vacation along with your family. Today there are many good Destin vacation rentals that come loaded with five star rated amenities.

The white sandy beaches of Destin will entice you to stay longer than you had planned and the luxurious vacation rentals will tempt you further to extend your stay. Enjoy your vacation with your family renting Destin vacation rentals. You and your family will be able to have a highly memorable Destin vacation. You can enjoy your private pools and rooms with breath taking views by renting luxurious Destin beach rentals. The next time you are planning for your family vacation look for the best luxury vacation Destin beach rentals and give your family and yourself a great treat as you simply deserve it.

Courtesy of Paragon Lodging

20% off three nights or more over the 4th of July Holiday weekend

Escape the heat and spend the 4th of July weekend in the mountains!

Activities galore! The "4th of July Celebration" activities include the Firecracker 50 Mountain Bike Race, 28th Annual July Art Festival, the Independence 10k Trail Run, Main Street Parade, Free Concert at 2:00pm with Rusted Root, National Repertory Orchestra Concert at 8:30pm, Breckenridge town fireworks show (weather permitting) at 9:30pm. All activities are in and around Breckenridge. Contact our office for details.

Book your upcoming celebration vacation weekend directly through Paragon Lodging by calling toll-free: 877-828-8171

(Photo: Adobe Ski Bridge - Breckenridge, CO)